A World of Hurt

Tommy Morgan hit a home run straight out of college landing a killer job with Miami private equity firm Venue Capital. Tommy made more money than he ever imagined riding the melt-up triggered by the government’s run-it-hot policy. However, the recent increase in AI productivity is crushing the US job market and wrecking the economy. After losing ground to double-digit price inflation and a burgeoning housing affordability crisis, American workers displaced by AI are sinking. Most are living on government handouts, and many are facing homelessness. This constituency blames the current administration for its misfortune, providing the perfect platform for Socialist Candidate Kendall Esperanza, who promises national rent control, free childcare, and universal basic income, all funded by a massive wealth tax. Esperanza leads the polls in the three-way race for the Oval Office. So, the general partners at Venue Capital devise a strategy to keep the company afloat. Tommy is sent to Paris to lead Venue Europe along with his coworker, Jackie. The move strains his relationship with long-time girlfriend, Ella.

However, when none of the presidential candidates secure sufficient electoral votes for the presidency, the contingent election goes to the House of Representatives. The popular vote and the selection by the House are not in agreement, sparking massive protests across the country. The uncertainty triggers panic in US debt markets, initiating a massive sell-off in Treasuries. And since US bonds are such a large part of the Euro Zone’s reserves, the crisis spreads like wildfire, crippling the European banking system. The turmoil spreads to Paris, where general strikes bring the city to a halt. Tommy and Jackie are trapped in a foreign country that is coming unglued. Their credit cards are canceled, the airports are closed, and they’re unwelcome guests in a city that is devolving into chaos. If they don’t find a way home, they won’t survive the week.